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New to tolumnia

Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself' started by jhz, Jul 3, 2022.

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  1. Jul 3, 2022 #1
    jhz

    jhz New Member

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    Hi all, I'm new to tolumnia but I have neofinetia and a few other orchids. I received the tolumnia as a gift, with 5 or so very small fanned plants attached to bark. The care instructions said to mist it daily and keep in indirect light. It's been a few months and all the plants are yellowing and losing leaves.

    I thought the location may have been too dry so removed the plants and wrapped the roots in moss to keep them moist. After reading a few posts I think moss is the wrong media (not allowing enough air movement) but I would like to keep them in a pot (with bark medium?) rather than mounted. Is there a tolumnia-for-beginners post in the forum where I could learn about saving my plants and learn my options as far as containing them, mounted or potted?

    thanks!!
     
  2. Jul 4, 2022 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    Tolumnia are native to thin branches of sparse shrubs on the windward side of Caribbean islands. They get frequent rain and are quickly blown dry by the warm breezes.

    It is unlikely the thin roots will do well encased in sphagnum. I grow mine mounted on driftwood, in full sun, watering them thoroughly (drenching) them daily. The only other way I was successful with them was by growing them in tiny (1”) terra cotta pots with no medium at all.
     
    KellyW and Marni like this.
  3. Jul 4, 2022 #3
    jhz

    jhz New Member

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    Thanks for the reply! How were the plants in the terra cotta pots supported -- just resting on their roots? Maybe put them on top of some bark mix?
     
  4. Jul 5, 2022 #4
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    They were literally just dropped into the pot. “Thumb pots” are typically only about one inch in diameter and many 1.25” tall. Pretty soon, the roots “grab” onto the clay surface.
     
  5. Jul 6, 2022 #5
    jhz

    jhz New Member

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    Thanks Ray! Looks like I have a few options...